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Archived NewsBytes located at the bottom of the page
June 29
Buckle up over the holiday period. State police and other agencies will have extra patrols over the July 4th holiday period looking for people who are not buckled up (as required by law), speeding, and other violations.
Lawrence and Monroe Counties have a fair share of beautiful limestone quarries, many of which are filled with cryastal clear water. Inviting as they may be, the quarries are dangerous and deceptive places to swim, often hiding underwater hazards. AND THEY ARE OFF LIMITS TO TRESPASSERS! Police in Monroe County have been cracking down, citing the trespassers and towing illegally parked cars. They are serious about the "NO TRESPASSING" signs posted on private land.
State auditors say former Police Chief Cecil Gerth Jr. claimed pay to which he was not entitled, used city money for personal needs and failed to deposit sales from vending machines, and are requesting that he compensate the city for a total of $15,571. Gerth, resigned in August, had worked in the department for 21 years.
After some investigative reporting by the Indianapolis Star, Gov. Frank O'Bannon has ordered a moratorium on grants from the Build Indiana Fund, and he is receiving criticism from some of the top Democratic lawmakers who are not pleased with his decision, claiming he is halting worthwhile projects. The fund funnels state gambling revenues into local projects, but the Indianapolis Star reported at least $40 million had gone to nonprofit groups and that is in violation of state law. The money is supposed to be used for such things as town halls, firetrucks, sewer projects, and other capital improvements. In May the Indiana Civil Liberties Union sued the state on the grounds that money from the fund has gone to private schools, churches, etc. An oversight committee was set up in a 1989 law for the purpose of reviewing grant requests, but it seems that the committee hasn't met for years. O'Bannon is supposed to appoint six of the eleven members on the panel, but has not done that, in spite of suggestions to do so because the system is prone to abuse. The way it has worked, during the biennial budget process, each lawmaker gets a share of the annual outlay and decides how to distribute in his district. State Senator Robert Garton, R-Columbus said in a news release that he was appointing a bipartisan task force to review how money from the Build Indiana Fund is appropriated in the 2001-2003 state budget and to recommend reforms. The panel is supposed to report back within 60 days.
Many new laws will take effect this Sunday, July 1st. The one that received a large part of the publicity concerns the blood-alcohol level for drunk driving. After several years of effort and finally moved by the threat of losing Federal highway money, the state's new blood-alcohol level for drunk driving will be lowered to 0.08 percent. You may not be as aware of some of the other new laws. The state is in the process of placing decals on every gas pump in the state to warn drivers that they can lose their licenses for up to 30 days if they drive away without paying. The cutoff date of kindergarten enrollment has been moved by one month, so children who are five years old by July 1st may enroll in kindergarten. Did you realize that the maximum fine for speeding in a work zone is increasing from $500 to $1,000 and that hunters will be required to wear at least one orange-colored outer garment when hunting? Volunteer fire departments will be allowed to charge a fee for responding to false alarms. Anyone with a gun permit must notify State Police of an address change within 60 days. Better become familiar with the new laws. Ignorance is not bliss!
BUYERS BEWARE! The Indiana BMV has issued a warning that cars damaged by the recent floods in south and southwest U.S. are being shipped to Indiana. Insurance companies have declared these water-damaged vehicles have total losses and probably have serious engine and body damage not easily seen by an untrained eye. They have fallen into the hands of dishonest salesmen. The BMV reports that so far most of the illegal sales have occurred in southern Indiana, especially Monroe County. If you are buying a car you may be suspicious about, check it carefully for such things as sand under floor mats and under the trunk lining; standing water or rush in the spare tire well, and mildew odor. Test drive the car; a flood-damaged engine will have trouble starting.
June 28
Widely scattered thunderstorms will occur this afternoon in central Indiana. These storms are not expected to reach severe limits. The main threat with the storms will be heavy rain and small hail.
A state trooper was injured in an accident Tuesday night when he ran a red light while his overhead lights and sirens were activated. 29-year-old Travis Coryea of Bloomington complained of back pain after attempting to go through the intersection of Indiana 45/46 bypass and College Avenue. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident refused medical treatment at the scene.
When Fort Wayne restaurants were required to become smoke free on January 1, 1999, many restaurant owners were convinced their businesses would suffer. However, William Styring III, an economist and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, has completed a study for Smokefree Indiana in which he examined Allen County's 1% food and beverage tax. His evidence shows that the restrictions have NOT resulted in a statistically significant impact on the restaurant income. The ordinance mandated the separation of smoking and nonsmoking areas in most eateries except taverns, requiring smoking areas to be closed off from nonsmoking areas. Last year Fort Worth, TX, passed a similar ordinance, which resulted in most restaurants becoming totally smoke-free. Bloomington has an ordinance that new restaurants must be totally smoke-free. Could this happen in Jackson County or surrounding counties? We certainly hope so!
State officials have plans to raise fees hunting and fishing licenses in Indiana. They haven't been increased since 1988, and officials with the DNR report that the cost of maintaining properties and programs is exceeding revenue. The new fee structure would increase a hunting or fishing license from the current $8.75 to $14.25, with deer and turkey licenses increasing as well. The proposed fee structure required the approval of the state Natural Resources Commission and would become effective in January 2002. In February they raised camping and entrance fees at state parks.
This week the Miami County Board of Commissioners voted to return two cemeteries back to the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana. Both cemeteries contain graves of Miami Indian ancestors. Godfroy Cemetery was built by a previous leader of the Miamis, Chief Francis Godfroy, on a reserve the government granted to him. The Miamis have promised to provide the money and labor for the upkeep. Although many of the graves and markers are in poor shape, Chief Paul Strack hopes they can be identified before being lost forever. They will allow open burial in a portion of Clayton Cemetery, and, although Godfroy Cemetery is open for burial only to Godfroy family, public access to the cemetery will be allowed for historical research. In other American Indian news, on June 15th the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana does not qualify for federal recognition as a tribe. The group is appealing.
June 27
There is a slight risk of severe weather roughly along and south of a line from Terre Haute to Crothersville. A low pressure system in the upper atmosphere will be moving west across the Ohio Valley today. Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and have the potential to reach severe limits. The main threat with these storms will be hail and damaging winds.
Tuesday it was announced that the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center passed the fourth stage of its Medicaid recertification. In 1999 the institution lost all its Federal Medicaid funding because of inadequate care. However, the state is still proceeding with transition at the center, and in April Gov. Frank O'Bannon announced that its remaining residents would be transferred to community-based settings or other state centers by December 2003.
The Jennings County Players are holding auditions, June 28-July 4th, at the Jennings County Public Library for their upcoming musical, "The Secret Garden." Actors should prepare a vocal selection for their audition and bring music for piano accompaniment. Auditions will be from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The production requires 18 adults and three children in principal roles, plus additional children for the chorus. The show will run Sept. 7-15 at the Vernon Academy. Phone Natalie Kellar, 346-8323
For years Indianapolis has favored spectator sports, and all of Indiana has helped support it through various taxes. Domes and stadiums have been built. Now Indianapolis is wanting to improve its image and wants to be known as much for art and culture as for sports, so the city and Lilly Endowment plan to spend $10 million to get started toward that goal. The city's Capital Improvement Board and Lilly Endowment will each put up $5 million toward that goal. Mayor Peterson will announce plan specifics soon. Some suggest that scheduling cultural events in a close time proximity with big sporting events should be a focus, and t is said that the money would be earmarked for artist grants, promotional campaigns, and a Commission on Cultural Development with the hope of boosting the city's "cultural tourism." Perhaps Indianapolis should follow the cultural lead provided by Louisville with its downtown Kentucky Center of the Arts with its connected parking facilities, etc.
An Indiana ban on using cell phones while driving? Although the New York state Senate passed a ban last week, it is not likely to happen in Indiana soon! A cell phone ban was introduced in this year's session, but there isn't much support for it in this state, so it didn't even get a hearing!
Tuesday the House of Representative passed a measure banning the Transportation Department from issuing permits that would allow trucks from Mexico to begin traveling deep into the U.S. starting next January. How did the Indiana delegation vote on the question? They sided 6-3 with the majority. Republican Reps. Steve Buyer and Mark Souder joined Democrats Julia Carson, Baron Hill, Tim Roemer and Pete Visclosky in favor of the measure. Republicans John Hostettler, Brian Kerns and Mike Pence voted against it, and Republican Dan Burton was listed as not voting. The measure passed 285-143.
June 26
Five days and counting. IU's new athletic director Michael McNeeling will take over the post this Sunday. Ten years ago, when the school last changed the AD post, the school was at the top of the Big Ten in All-Sports Rankings. This year, the school finished near the bottom of the conference.
"Don't pump and run!" is the motto on new decals that will be posted on every gasoline pump in the state of Indiana. The General Assembly passed additional legislation this year under which motorists who are convicted of gas theft could lose their licenses for 30 days. This is in addition to the penalties that are already on the books, and the new law takes effect Sunday. State officials hope the decals will keep motorists from driving off without paying. Twelve other states have similar laws, and 11 of those report a decline in drive-offs. The Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association reports there were 25,580 drive-offs last year, resulting in a total loss for gas stations in excess of $3 million statewide.
About 100 Indiana senior citizens have traveled to Windsor, Ontario to buy prescription drugs. They boarded two charted buses yesterday and a doctor and pharmacy in Windsor has agreed to convert their U.S. prescriptions and fill them for 90 days. The pharmacy will then refill the prescriptions by mail for up to one year. By traveling to Canada they can buy their prescription drugs for fractions of the prices they pay in Indiana. Although we have been hearing about prescription drug runs originating in other border states, this was the first such trip to be organized by United Senior Action, which lobbies for legislation that would reduce drug prices in Indiana,
From Monday until Friday this week, I-465 between I-70 and Washington Street will be closed nightly to traffic because of the demolition of a street overpass. It will be open during daytime hours, but the nighttime closing is expected to create major traffic problems since the road is one of the state's busiest stretches of highway. The road will be closed southbound each night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The northbound lanes, shut down Monday night, will close again on Thursday night as crews finish tearing down the overpass. The demolition or the street overpass is part of a $67 million project to rebuild bridges and exit ramps while widening the most heavily traveled stretch of I-465 to as many as 12 lanes.
June 25
Sunday night Billy Graham ended a four day crusade at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. Organizers believed they met their attendance goal of 150,000 for the crusade.
Another change of guard, but still sitting. Eric is now the person of the hour perched 50 feet high in the red oak tree in Bloomington. Tracy McNeely had been guarding the perch since March 22 to protest the planned sale of a 50 acre wooded lot for an apartment complex. When Tracy left the tree last week, her mother filled in for two days, and then "Moss" took up the vigil, which is a protest against a planned housing development on Bloomington's east side and set for construction in July. The protestors say they intend to keep someone up the tree until the development plans are dropped for what they consider an environmentally sensitive site.
June 22
Just as the pools were getting used to being busy, Mother Nature has decided it is time to cool things off. Today is supposed to be the coolest day at 75, with gradual warming through the weekend.
It looks like Market Square Arena will be no more at 7:00 a.m. on July 8. Although there are a number of reasons there may be a delay, officials are proceeding according to plan. If you plan to be a spectator, show up early and bring a dust mask!
It now appears the defense minister of the country we defended against Sadam Hussein wants us to mind our own business. This stems from the U.S. indictment of 14 people in the 1996 bombing that killed 19 American servicemen in Saudi Arabia.
June 21
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for parts of southwest and south central Indiana for today. The Flash Flood Watch is for a 50 mile wide area extending from Vincennes to Bedford...including the cities of Washington and Shoals and the counties of Daviess...Knox...Lawrence and Martin. Several rounds of thunderstorms are expected today and are expected to occur mainly late this morning and into the afternoon.
The Billy Graham Crusade opens tonight in Louisville at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. After many months of local planning and preparation, Graham, 82, plans to preach four consecutive nights in Louisville, his first crusade since last fall. Graham will preach from a stage that is 160 feet wide, 60 feet deep and 59 feet tall. The Louisville leaders are hoping the Crusade will help bring racial harmony to the community. For a schedule and highlights see the link at the top of this page.
June 20
June 19
June 18
June 15
Seymour's 15th Annual Art Festival will be feature activities in two locations Saturday. The juried artwork and fine art booth exhibitors will be at the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, and the demonstrative and hands-on artwork will be located in downtown Seymour.
Indiana's junior senator says he will not be a presidential contender in 2004 because he would rather be a good father to his 5-year-old twins. He will discuss his decision at a news conference today in Indianapolis.
June 14
Judy Kirby will spend the rest of her life behind bars. Wednesday she was given a 215-year sentence for causing the head-on crash on Indiana 67 near Martinsville that killed seven people, including three of her own children. Her attorneys plan to appeal the verdicts and the sentence, while prosecutors say she was suicidal and despondent.
The question is whether to build or remodel. The focus of that question is the Governor's mansion. Judy O'Bannon says the current 6,633-square-foot English Tudor home on Meridian Street is not big enough and does not meet accessibility standards, and wants the Governor's Residence Commission to study the issue. The Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association wants the mansion to stay where it is. The panel met Wednesday to discuss the future of the building, which would cost millions to renovate. Other sites are being considered. Because of the costs of renovation, some believe that the mansion should be sold and the proceeds used toward a new, fully accessible residence. Renovations would have to be paid for through private fund raising.
Remember the environmentalist tree sitter who has been protesting the construction of an apartment complex in Bloomington since March 22nd? She is now the last obstacle in the purchase of the 50 acre tract since the company representative met with the economic development commission, the county council, and received approval of $10 million in tax-free bonds. Herman Associates of Indianapolis plans to start construction in July on a 208-unit apartment complex to bring affordable housing to the city. On the other hand, Tracy McNeely, 19, still insists she will not move from the tree and that she has support from many in the community, as well as the Green Party. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department is starting to develop procedures to use in case McNeely doesn't cooperate when construction begins. Developing .....
Gov O'Bannon has a new nine-seat airplane that will cost taxpayers around $930,000 per year. Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton, R-Columbus, accused O'Bannon of applying a double-standard in approving the lease after citing the state's financial troubles in vetoing several spending bills. This is the state's first new plane since 1986, and State Police Superintendent Melvin Carraway said it was not the Governor's plane and that the new plane would be used primarily for law-enforcement purposes. It was leased to replace a 20-year-old Piper Cheyenne II six-seater that spent 96 days last year in the shop -- at a cost to taxpayers of more than $300,000. One of the former plane's last missions before it was traded in involved flying federal agents and documents involving Timothy McVeigh's case to Oklahoma City. The new plane will be used to transport the governor, visiting dignitaries, other elected officials, state police personnel and prisoners. The agency has a five-plane fleet, but the new one is the only one that can safely fly long distances quickly at high altitudes and land at most of Indiana's shorter airstrips. It was used Wednesday to fly two prisoners in from Florida.
Did you know that today is Flag Day? To commemorate the adoption of the flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, the federal government encourages people to fly their flags. However, it is NOT a 3-day weekend, and state and federal offices are open throughout the nation. In 1916 President Wilson issued the first national Flag Day proclamation, but it was not until 1949 that President Truman signed an act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.
50 years ago today that the famed Univac, widely considered the first commercial computer, made its public debut during a dedication at the U.S. Census Bureau. At the time, proponents assured the world that computers would give us shorter workweeks and paperless offices. Computers were on the verge of transforming the way we accessed information. The contrast between the Univac and today's mainframe equivalents is astounding. Unisys' ES7000 server, for instance, offers 216,000 times the speed and 7.6 million times the memory of the Univac while consuming one-eighteenth as much power and just 1/24th of the Univac's weight. There's no disputing the impact the subsequent computer revolution has had on business and, more recently, life away from work.
June 13
Chanting, sign-carrying, horn-blowing, and drum-beating members of the Indiana Forest Alliance protested yesterday in Nashville at the sale of two tracts of land, one in Yellowwood and the other in Morgan-Monroe State Forests. The organization opposes logging on public lands. The tracts were sold for a total of $75,000.
Still trying to save Muscatatuck State Developmental Center and Madison State Hospital, a group of state workers, parents, and politicians rallied on the Statehouse steps yesterday to urge Gov. O'Bannon to keep the two centers open and preserve the jobs and economic benefits for Jennings and Jefferson counties. Muscatatuck is scheduled to be closed by December 2003, and Madison State Hospital is scheduled to be converted into a new regional center for the mentally ill and disabled.
Prosecutors are asking a judge to sentence Judy Kirby today to more than 300 years in prison. The 32-year-old Indianapolis woman was convicted last month on seven counts of murder for causing a head-on crash that killed seven people.
Because of "unusual circumstances" surrounding the death of 44-year-old Nickie Ellis of Solsberry, Bloomington police are releasing little information about the death. Ellis died about 5 a.m. Tuesday at Bloomington Hospital.
Jungle Jammer Animal Cookies recall! People with allergies to milk or eggs might have a severe allergic reaction if they eat these cookies because they contain milk and eggs that are not listed on the label. The Jungle Jammers are made by D.F. Stauffer Biscuit Co. of York, PA, and are sold through Save-A-Lot Food Stores. They were sold in Indiana, as well as eleven other states. The cookies, sold in 13 oz. boxes, have the following codes: 01302C, 02012A, 02012B, 02232B, 02232C, 02242A and 03062B. Those who have bought the cookies may return them for a refund. Those with questions may call 1-800-673-2473.
June 12
For the second time this year, computers at IU have been hacked. The first time, in late January, a bursar's office computer and student IDs of more than 3000 students. This time, computers at the School of Music were overtaken by hackers. The computers contain the names, addresses and social security numbers of over 17000 people. The information exposed this time (between May 23 and May 25) was from an online form for people to request information about the music school. The hackers could use the information to get iinto back or credit accounts or create false identities. The hackers had deleted any evidence that allowed them to be traced. Although it is impossible to determine whether any personal information actually was taken, the university will mail letters of apology and also said it would pay the costs of up to three credit reports for anyone whose files may have been accessed by the hackers. Also, prospective students will no longer be asked for their Social Security numbers over the Internet.
IU apparently will not respond to former basketball coach Bob Knight's legal notice that he may sue the university for wrongful termination. In March, Knight's lawyer sent an intent-to-sue notice to protect his legal options. The Indianapolis Star reports today that IU counsel Dorothy Frapwell says the university will not respond.
June 11
Warmer days and nights are arriving. Not only does that make the farmers happy because it will make their crops grow, but the kids, who up to now have been shivering in the swimming pool, will notice warmer water. Tomorrow the temperature may climb into the 90's. Catch up time is probably here!
Seymour's 15th Annual Art Festival will be feature activities in two locations Saturday. The juried artwork and fine art booth exhibitors will be at the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, and the demonstrative and hands-on artwork will be located in downtown Seymour.
The worry about connections to gambling have members of the United Methodist church upset with a decision to build church offices in Bloomington. The reason for the opposition is the fact that the project will be funded by a grant from the Build Indiana Fund (which is supported by Hoosier Lottery profits and riverboat casino taxes). Members of South Indiana Conference approved the project after pledging to donate money to a gambling ministry and outreach program.
June 8
The weatherman is smiling on the Red, White, and Blue Festival in Crothersville today and tomorrow. For festival information, contact Sherry Bridges at 812-793-3378!
Starve Hollow is hosting the 2001 Kids Fishing Derby at Starve Hollow Lake tomorrow.
THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL - OR WILL BE SOON! President Bush signed the $1.35 trillion tax cut (the largest in 20 years!) in a White House ceremony yesterday -- tax relief for the people who actually PAY the taxes. You'll get a rebate for 2001, and tax benefits will continue for the next 10 years if the Democrats don't change it. When will you see YOUR check in the mail and how much will you get? The amount will be based on 5% of the taxpayer's 2000 taxable income - up to $300/single, $500/head-of-household, and a max of $600/married couples filing jointly. Starting July 23rd, the IRS will begin mailing checks according to the last two digits of taxpayers' Social Security numbers. The schedule will be "00-09" - July 23rd; "10-19" - July 30; "20-20" - Aug 6; "30-39" - Aug 13; "40-49" - Aug 20; "50-59" - Aug 27th; "60-69" - Sept 3rd; "70-79" - Sept 10th; "80-89" - Sept 17th; "90-99" - Sept 24th. The check for married couples filing jointly will be based on the first SSN on the return. AND if you have not yet filed your 2000 taxes, you won't get your check until you file! So how will the new tax program affect you over the next ten years? Find out what your tax savings will be by using the estimator developed by the experts at Quicken Turbo Tax.
The Indiana General Assembly's Legislative Council has been meeting this week to lay the foundation for next year's short legislative session. Temporary study committees are formed to work on various issues, and the issue of daylight saving time raised its head. During this year's regular session, the House leaders blocked legislation on the subject. However, on Thursday House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, asked for the daylight-saving time study. When asked "why", he replied that advocates of changing Indiana's clocks in the spring and fall want another opportunity to make their case. The Legislative Council voted 9-5 against appointing a committee on the subject. One of the Hoosier Daylight Coalition's leaders, Scott Jones, said his group will keep educating Hoosiers and their elected leaders about the merits of adopting daylight-saving time, and he still wants a floor vote on the issue
A Lawrence County teen is dead after he and a friend were playing with a rifle and it discharged. County police were called to the Hillard Lewis residence along route-12 Bedford about 1 p.m. Thursday. Officers found 16-year-old Timothy Lewis with a gunshot wound to the chest. Police say Lewis and a friend were playing with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle when the gun went off. Lewis was pronounced dead at Dunn Memorial Hospital.
A fire at Lehigh Portland Cement in Mitchell was quickly put out
Thursday morning. When firefighters arrived after being called about 5:30 a.m., workers
were using hoses to douse the flames in an asbestos containment unit which caught
fire. Sparks from a welding torch caught the unit on fire according to a Lehigh
employee.
June 7
IU will introduce a "new" Dean today. Gwyn Richards has been serving at the interim dean of the school of music and will lose the interim tag. The move becomes official June 22nd.
A B-2 bomber will help open the 2001 Limestone Heritage Festival Parade on July 4th in Bedford. The U.S.Air Force gave the approval for the fly-over. U.S. Representatives John Hostettler and Steve Buyer made the announcement yesterday of the fly-over. A "Stealth" opened the parade three years ago, and it was truly an awesome sight! The parade will start at noon on July 4th. On July 3rd there will be an Indiana Limestone Co., Inc. Mill Tour. The Limestone Heritage Festival, which starts on June 29th, will offer many activities of interest. See the schedule on Bedford OnLine's Local Events.
Warmer days and nights are on the way, and because of the recent rains, mosquitoes will soon follow. In order to "head them off at the pass", property owners are advised to empty anything containing standing water (buckets, old tires, gutters, etc), as well as to stock ornamental ponds with fish. And it might be a good idea to buy some mosquito repellant for that outdoor picnic. The most effective repellent contains diethyl tolumide (DEET). Pediatric formulas should be used for children and applied to clothing instead of skin.
June 6
Sinister looking skies grabbed attention yesterday evening as several thunderstorms rumbled through the area and funnel clouds were sighted. Weathermen had predicted yesterday at noon that the atmosphere was becoming unstable, which could produce severe weather, and the severe storm watch then was issued around 4 p.m. So the storms were not a big surprise. However, threatening skies (and especially the warning sirens in some areas) called many residents to arms as they scurried to batten down the hatches, protect their cars, etc. The storms produced a lot of wind, some small hail, and around one inch of rain. More thunderstorms are on the agenda for today, with heavy rain. A flash flood watch is in effect. Stay alert for any additional warnings as severe thunderstorms are possible over parts of central Indiana through his evening.
Based on the reasoning that a tuition increase was necessary to ensure the academic success of the university, I.U. trustees approved an increase for the 2001-2002 academic year. The 7.5 percent increase for the Bloomington campus means that Indiana residents will now pay $2,097 per semester to be a full-time student, and out of state students will pay $6,965. Most of the increase will be applied to faculty salaries in order to help the university meet the competition from other universities for faculty. A 7.5 percent tuition increase at Purdue University was approved last month.
More than $100 million in unclaimed cash is being held by the Indiana attorney general's office, and he would like to return it to the rightful owners. The money comes from unclaimed utility deposits, tax refund checks that were undeliverable, unused checking accounts, and the list goes on! The Attorney General is asking all Hoosiers to check to see if they might have property to claim from this list, ranging in value from just a few dollars to thousands. If it is not claimed within 25 years by the owners or their descendants, the money goes into the state's school fund. Although there are companies who specialize in reuniting claimants with rightful assets (for a fee, of course) it actually costs nothing to claim your own. Owners must provide proof that the property does in fact belong to them with such things as bank statements, stock certificates, etc. To claim property of deceased parents or grandparents, descendents must provide the appropriate death certificates and copies of wills. Take the time now to check the list by calling the attorney general's office at (800) 447-5598. It takes forever to get through on the telephone, so because it will much faster, check on their website !
The Billy Graham Crusade, which will be at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium June 21st through the 24th, is still in need of volunteers, especially ushers. If you would like to help all you have to do is call the Crusade office in Louisville at 412-0977, or visit the website.
June 5
Kirby's sentencing delayed! Instead of finding out her fate this Thursday, Judy Kirby will have to wait until next Wednesday (June 13th) for her sentencing on seven counts of murder. Kirby was convicted by a jury on May 10th after a 2.5 week trial. She was found guilty of seven counts of murder, four felony counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and felony aggravated battery. The delay was made because Morgan Superior Court Judge Jane Spencer Craney had a scheduling problem with the original sentencing date.
Amtrak is returning to Louisville, and the city will once again have
passenger train service in just a few months.. In June the city plans to break
ground for the new track that will allow the trains to cross the river from Indiana.
The trains will pull up to the area where the parking lot is now located at Louisville's
historic Union Station on Broadway.
Amtrak's Cardinal Train Service now picks up and unloads passengers in Jeffersonville,
where there are no facilities. The project is being covered by federal grants and
other government money, and the first full service is expected this fall.
For the past several weeks the public has been able to follow the development of the three
Indy falcon chicks that hatched near Monument Circle. However, the chicks have
decided it is time to leave the box Sunday. According to observers, two of the them
have been seen perched on other buildings near the Circle, but the third one fell to the
ground and sustained a spinal injury. Those in charge are consulting with a raptor
rehab center to determine whether the chick can be treated or should be euthanized.
Accidents are common for young falcons, which has a 50 percent chance of survival during
the first year.
There have been reports of recent incidents involving wild raccoons and foxes in the southwestern part of the Monroe County, and, although test results on captured animals won be available for a few weeks, the animal control officials are advising residents to stay away from animals showing suspicious behavior. They also advise that it is a good policy to be sure pets' vaccinations are current and that the pets are kept on a leash. Signs of distemper include coughing and sneezing, loss of fear of humans, and convulsions, while rabies symptoms include wandering, weakness and possible attacks on moving objects.
Have you been mowing your yard a lot the past few weeks? Although we experienced the driest four months on record from January through April, this part of the state received just over 4 inches of rain in May, which is slightly above normal. May began with some hot days, but most of the month was wet and cool, and the grass has been growing like crazy! June has continued that trend. Reports indicate that, although we are still under normal rainfall for the year-to-date, most of the surface moisture has been replaced at this point. That is good for the development of the corn and soybeans at this stage.
June 4
It still is not good for swimming today. Rain and thunderstorms are on the weather agenda for today!
Returning to her home area was one of the mistakes made by a former Paoli resident. 20-year-old Cheryl Warren of Ohio returned to Paoli after police allege she robbed a bank in Leipsic, Ohio. Police found Warren at the Midwest Inn in Paoli Friday evening. Police report finding $10,000 in cash in the hotel room.
"Blast", the current Broadway show that developed from the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corp received a Tony Award in the Special Theatrical Event category yesterday at Radio City Music Hall. The show has a cast of 60 who combine instruments, choreography, costumes, scenery, and lighting and is quite different from the usual fare. It is scheduled to run until January.
The worst infestation in 50 years, amy worms are causing problems for farmers all over Indiana, and now they are beginning to invade lawns as well. They are devouring grass blades, but they leave the dandelions. If the worms eat only the blades and leave the crowns, the grass will recover. However, if the crowns are devoured, it won't grow back. If you see lawn damage, check for the worms. According to Purdue specialists, if you can detect the the worms early enough, insecticides will prevent further damage. The army worm infestation should be over by the middle of June.
June1
Cummins Inc. has announced that it is planning a reduction in force, although it did not state how many of those would be in Indiana. The company is dropping its plans to develop a new truck engine and will cut 500 employees this year by firings, not filling vacant positions, and retirements. Cummings had been engaged in talks of a joint venture with Navistar to develop and produce a truck engine that would meet the U.S. diesel emission standards, but those talks were ended without any agreement.
The DNR is sponsoring "Take a Kid Fishing Day" Saturday, and a fishing license is not necessary for the weekend. This is a good opportunity to give your child the fishing experience. Area sites for the events are Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge in Jackson County and Williams Dam in Lawrence County.
Needed! Some 80° days! The water in the pool is not going to get warm with these cool temperatures. Cool, wet weather is predicted for the next several days.
Nearly 1000 GE workers finish their jobs today. 992 workers at the GE plant in Bloomington lose their jobs after work today as part of layoffs at the factory. The latest layoffs will leave around 1600 people at the Bloomington plant, about half the number working there in December 1999. Layoffs began when GE shifted production of labor-intensive, high-end refrigerators from Bloomington to a factory in Mexico.
May 31
News Flash! At 12:30 p.m. today the Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced the winner of the license plate contest. Its "Back Home Again", showing a scene in blues and greens looking out toward a horizon . This design will be used on plates starting January 2003 and continue through 2008.
The weather postponed the originally planned Saturday opening day for Shields Pool. Now scheduled to open today, the weather still is not cooperating. Showers and predicted high temperatures only in the 60's are expected throughout the weekend.
Today the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will announce the winner of the contest determining what license plate our cars will be wearing in 2003. Stay tuned.
To mark the one year anniversary of the disappearance of Jill Behrman, churches around Bloomington will ring bells this morning at 9:30. Jill was last seen May 31, 2000 when she left for a bike ride.
Yesterday the radio and Bedford OnLine announced that Bedford City Police would be standing on the corner of 16th Street and Brian Lane Way between 10 am and 2 pm looking for violations of the seatbelt law or child restraint law. It was not a roadblock. Cars were stopped only if officers could see people NOT buckled up. It was part of Operation Pull Over which is underway in Indiana through June 2nd. The results of the effort? Well, in spite of letting the public know their plans, Bedford City Police still issued 50 citations in a four-hour period yesterday. Over. 45 seatbelt violations, 2 child restraint violations and one violation each of driving with a suspended license, having no driver's license in possession, and having no registration plate were issued during the inspection. (NEXT TIME, PEOPLE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO THE NEWS TO HAVE ADVANCED WARNING!)
"Hello Dolly" opens tomorrow night at Little Theatre of Bedford. It plays next weekend as well. If you are interested, see their website for details - Little Theatre of Bedford. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m., and having dinner at the Bittersweet Inn in Brownstown (reservations recommended) would be a nice way to start the evening!
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